West Dumbartonshire Council’s planning committee unanimously rejected a request to change existing planning permission to allow excavations to the east of the quarry which lies off the A82 between Milton and Dumbarton.

The firm wanted to lower the quarry edge facing Milton by 19 metres and extend the site by 29 metres at that side.

Committee members said they were swayed by objectors who claimed the move would increase the risk of rocks falling on the village and A82, putting lives in danger, and the rejection was hailed as a ‘victory’ for locals.

The quarry operators argued that the extension would improve safety and remove future risk of rockfalls.

Now, quarry operators Paterson’s, of Greenoakhill, have appealed to the Scottish government’s planning department to overturn the decision claiming the council’s reasons for refusal are ‘unfounded’.

A Scottish government planning reporter is due to visit the site to make a decision on the appeal.